Chattanooga State Community College vs Motlow State Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Motlow State Community College comes closer — median earnings $40,397 against a $31,484 total, vs $37,598 at Chattanooga State Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Chattanooga State Community College | Motlow State Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,283 | $15,742 |
| Total net cost | $10,566 | $31,484 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $37,598 | $40,397 |
| Median debt | $10,419 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$225,806 | -$190,744 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Chattanooga State Community College or Motlow State Community College?
Chattanooga State Community College, at $5,283 a year after aid versus $15,742 — a gap of $10,459 a year, or $20,918 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Chattanooga State Community College or Motlow State Community College graduates earn more?
Motlow State Community College graduates report a median $40,397 ten years after entry, $2,799 more than the $37,598 at Chattanooga State Community College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which graduates more of its students?
34% of students finish at Motlow State Community College, against 26% at Chattanooga State Community College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.